This template is an excerpt from AJP’s Template for a Farm Health & Safety Plan. Adapt and use it for setting policies and training people in your workplace on how to stay safe during wildfire conditions.
Planning for safety during wildfire smoke #
Wildfire smoke is made up of harmful particles and gases. We will train you on safely working in wildfire smoke, and we will take special precautions at times when there is risk of workers being exposed to smoke:
We will designate a staff member to watch air quality data on Airnow.gov and PurpleAir, once at the beginning of the day and periodically throughout the day. The staff member will notify everyone 1) if poor air quality of AQI 50 or higher is expected that day; 2) if either Airnow or nearby Purpleair sensors indicate AQI of 50 or higher; 3) when air quality sensors reach the next level of hazard (100, 150, 200, 250, 300).
We will post the day’s AQI forecast from Airnow in the crew area at the beginning of the day during times when there is risk of wildfire smoke.
Employees can always use their own judgment in taking safety precautions and wearing protective masks. Employees may also use sight lines to judge air quality:
AQI Index Values Visibility: How Far You Can See 0-50 15+ miles 51-100 5-15 miles 101-150 3-5 miles 151-200 1-3 miles 201-300 1 mile 301+ <1 mile
Note: estimates will be more accurate if you’re sighting with the sun behind you. As a rule of thumb, if you can see the individual outlines of trees on a ridge, it’s less than 5 miles away.
On days when poor air quality may occur, crew leaders must follow our safety communication plan and check (radio/text/email/phone) regularly.
N95 respirator masks are available for employee use whenever needed and are stocked in farm vehicles and in the packing shed safety cabinet.
We will stock the office and the break room with air filter units to be used in case of poor outdoor air quality. We will make sure cabin air filters in vehicles are clean and in good condition. We will mark vehicles whose ventilation systems are not suitable for cleaning outdoor air.
At any time, if employees are concerned about air quality, you can:
- Wear an N95 mask.
- Ask for help fitting your mask.
- Use sick time or personal time.
- Request accommodations based on health conditions.
- Check on co-workers.
- Bring concerns to your supervisor and/or the farm safety committee.
Managers take safety seriously and we will always try to accommodate your health needs or find alternative arrangements, including providing safety equipment (such as masks) that fit you and are more comfortable to wear. No employee is required to work in hazardous conditions, and the farm will not retaliate against you for declining to work in such situations.
Warnings #
Masks must be N95 or better. KF94, KN95, medical, and cloth masks do not protect you from wildfire smoke. Masks must be worn with one strap above the ears and one below. Beards prevent masks from working properly and should not be worn when wildfire smoke or other breathing hazards are possible. If employees insist on keeping a beard, they will not be allowed to work if AQI is 200 or higher.
If outdoor air quality is bad, the packing shed and barns are also not safe for breathing without an N95 mask. If you need relief from outdoor air, turn on air filters in the break room and rest there. Take off your mask in the break room only if the air filters have run on high for at least 20 minutes.
Let your supervisor know if you have a condition that may make you more sensitive to smoke. This includes
- Youth
- Adults age 65+
- People who are pregnant
- People with pre-existing heart & lung conditions
- People with weakened immune systems
Let a supervisor or co-worker know if you experience:
- Asthma
- Burning eyes
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid heartbeat
In these cases, rest and recover in a clean room or vehicle and seek medical attention as necessary. Your supervisor or co-worker will stay with you and help if you need medical attention.
If AQI is 51-100 (Moderate): #
- We will notify the crew of the AQI and monitor air quality.
- We will discuss wildfire smoke safety and post safety guidelines (English/Spanish) in the crew area as appropriate.
- Employees should be alert to changes in conditions and notices from the staff member monitoring air quality.
If AQI is 101-200 (Unhealthy for sensitive groups 101-150; and Unhealthy 151-200): #
- Supervisors will notify the crew of the AQI and offer N95s.
- We will turn on air filters in clean rooms to provide rest spaces as needed.
- Employees may request lighter duty assignments if they have health concerns.
- Supervisors will offer more frequent rest breaks, and employees may take rest breaks as needed.
If AQI is 201-300 (Very Unhealthy): #
- Employees must wear N95 masks or better (not optional).
- Supervisors will check employees’ masks for fit.
- Managers will move work indoors into clean spaces if possible and limit outdoor work to high priority and essential tasks. Work may be rescheduled.
If AQI is 301+ (Hazardous): #
- The farm will reschedule work and follow emergency plans, operating at bare minimum staffing for the most essential tasks only (e.g., animal care, watering). Employees working under these conditions will be offered P100 half mask respirators.
Resources #
- Wildfire Smoke Resources (UC Davis Ag Health)
- Recommended respirators & air filters for air quality hazards & wildfire smoke (AJP)
- Working in Smoke & Fire Conditions (Not Our Farm & Fair Share CSA Coalition)
- Worker Safety and Health in Wildfire Regions (Cal/OSHA)
- Check local air quality at AirNow (EPA) and PurpleAir
- Factsheet: Oregon OSHA rules on smoke exposure. Includes method for estimating air quality visually when local data is not available
- Respiratory protection in the workplace - Guide for employers (Cal/OSHA)